Honolulu holds parade in honor of Manti Te'o, not knowing he wouldn't be able to attend

Former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o was drafted Friday in the second round by the San Diego Chargers. On Saturday, family and friends held a parade for him in Honolulu, but he was unable to attend. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

A community parade took to the streets of Honolulu on Saturday with family, friends, neighbors and supporters of Manti Te'o in attendance to celebrate the former Notre Dame linebacker being drafted by the San Diego Chargers on Friday.

The Honolulu Magazine reports there was a motorcade of cars and floats with Te'o's father, Brian, mother, Ottilia, and grandmother Norma making their way to Laie Park.

The city gave a $2,000 grant for the event, according to Hawaii News Now, and the story said the remaining cost was picked up by local residents.

But there was no Manti Te'o.

Insert Lennay Kekua joke here.

"It's just overwhelming. We're so appreciative of the support this community has given Manti. They've been there through all the highs and the lows. They've always stood by his side. We're so thankful," Ottilia told the Honolulu Magazine.

Te'o, who was scheduled to be at the parade, was in San Diego for a press conference.

"It's his party. It's too bad he can't be there," Honolulu mayor Kirk Caldwell's spokesman Jesse Broder Van Dyke told Hawaii News Now. "And the family really wanted to express how grateful they are to everyone, and how sorry they are. We even called Manti Te'o's agent to see if there's any way, but unfortunately he's gotta go."

On his son's selection by the Chargers, Brian Te'o told the Honolulu Magazine, "I love the pick; we're just so excited and ecstatic. He's reaping the benefits of being a darn good son."